"That's roughly it," Joseph continued. "Now let's discuss the construction plan for the Canned Food Factory. Oh, food preserved in iron containers like this is called canned food."
Mirabeau pondered for a moment. "Your Highness, according to the production process you just described, we only need to find some blacksmiths to make iron containers, fill them with food, steam them, and then seal them with wax. I believe production can begin with a little preparation."
Joseph immediately shook his head. "That method is far too slow, and the cost would be very high. Besides, wax seals can easily come off during transport, causing the food to spoil.
"What I need is industrial production.
"Use a rolling mill to make sheet metal, specialized cutting equipment, then weld the openings shut after filling. It would be best if we could develop a rolling machine for producing the can bodies."
Mirabeau froze for several seconds before adding quietly, "Your Highness, we will also need a tinning process. Otherwise, the sheet metal will be corroded by the food's broth."
"Yes, that was my oversight."
Mirabeau considered it. "I remember that the ironworks in Luxembourg imitated several rolling mills. They can produce around one ton of sheet metal per month."
A rolling mill was a machine that used upper and lower rollers to squeeze red-hot iron billets, flattening them over and over until they became sheet metal.
The United Kingdom had invented this device several years ago, initially powering it with water. With France's current technological capabilities, similar machines had quickly been reproduced, with steam engines replacing water power.
"If the order for sheet metal is large enough, the ironworks can build a tinning pool. Then the Canned Food Factory can purchase tinned sheet metal directly."
Mirabeau glanced at the notebook in his hand. "As